Finesse 24, No. 35, Andantino.
She was built c.1978/9 and has come onto the market due, sadly, to the unexpected death of her late owner, a long-standing member of the Benfleet YC.
I agreed to visit the boat with one of his daughters and give my views on her and advertise her for sale on my site.
The boat has been undergoing work ashore at the Benfleet Yacht Club, which is on Canvey Island. The work was essentially cosmetic as far as I could ascertain.
Andantino has a standard F24 dinette layout, with galley to starboard. The heads and locker doors all operate. Forward are two berths.
A general view of Andantino.
Paint has been stripped off along the waterline/boot top area and stem. There isn’t a huge build up of paint to the hull. Nothing that a good rub down and recoat cannot sort out.
The boat is sloop rigged.
Note: a putty has been worked into the plank ends to the stem – this may be due to undue drying out at sometime. The boat has been out of the water for around two years.
The other point to note is that the boat was at one time cutter rigged. Not ’empty space’ between the two anchor cable rollers where bowsprit once passed through.
Putty to plank ends.
Looking down starboard side. Note blue paint not adhered to ‘original’ white coating under the lands.
Looking forward on the underside on port side.
I noted that the centre plate is ‘stuck’ in its keel slot. The winch, in the cockpit, operates and looks to be in a good condition with no play.
View of the transom. Rudder blade has been stripped. No defects seen.
The engine is a 2-cyl Vetus and looked to be in a fair condition. It is probably a 12-15 HP model. There is some water in the boat’s bilge which is salty. None is leaking out on the underside: keeping her tight.
The Cockpit is in a fair condition and has been kept covered.
Note water in bilge, as mentioned. The bilges and behind galley area looked at have a ‘recent’ coating. Timbers looked good.
Under the galley units – to starboard.
I did not view inside the lockers beneath the dinette seats. I am told that all berth cushions are available. Owner’s daughter has yet to clear out ‘personal’ gear and make tidy.
View, starboard, looking aft from amidships.
The varnish work has suffered from a lack of coats after much work some seasons ago. Some deck edges need attention.
There is a set of ‘tan’ sails aboard.
There are two batteries connected to a trickle charging panel on deck.
Under the poop is a fuel tank – it looks to be approximately 30 litres.
There are two GPS units (Garmin &Lawrence), a modern VHF, echo sounder & built in compass.
Below there is a Blakes heater thought to be a diesel version, mounted beside forward end of dinette.
It appears that the cooker is ‘missing’…
There is no history of when the keel bolts have been done, but the owners friends may be aware – the daughter wasn’t.
Ideally the boat should be cosmetically finished to hull and be placed in the water or a mud berth.
With some attention to what needs doing, I believe this boat has many years of life in her. The hull planking where stripped back is in a remarkable condition.
The boat is available as an, ‘as is’ condition for around £3500.00 – my advice is to make a sensible offer. .
Contact: Mrs Henny Pugsley on 07732 315330
A further contact at the Benfleet YC is Mike Cox.
Note: The views here are Nick Ardley’s and no responsibility for accuracy can be given. If you intend to purchase, I would advise a survey. As said, I believe the boat is essentially sound and only needs to be brought back up…
Any new owner should make contact with the Finesse Group where advice and camaraderie can be dispensed. There is a closed Facebook page, which you will need to request joining, and a web site.
http://www.finesse-owners-association.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1518607771700636/
Update:
Boat has been sold and is under new ownership at Benfleet YC.
Andantino painted up and back afloat.